Dear Immigrants,
You’re being taken for a ride.
What would you say if I told you that to some, you’re worth nothing more than the ink used to fill the oval at the ballot box?
That’s right.
You’re worth a vote.
It’s not necessarily a “revolutionary” concept. After all, politicians are always fishing for votes from every possible demographic and social niche.
Demonstrators with the groups National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Workers United of Washington and the #Not1More Campaign, protest an increase in deportations and US President Barack Obama's immigration policies outside the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's Gala Dinner at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, October 2, 2014. Obama is scheduled to speak at the dinner. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB
But, you’re supposed to be something special, are you not? After all, among other things you’re told that you’re the backbone of the nation; you’re the bright minds that will reinvigorate entrepreneurship, create jobs, and increase the GDP.
So, you’re not just any demographic, are you? They really, really mean it when they talk about your value to society, right?
We’ll get to that in a moment.
In conjunction with his November 2014 executive action on immigration, President Barack Obama announced something called a “Task Force on New Americans.” Just a few days ago, the Task Force came out with its comprehensive plan (all 70 pages of which are available here).
Among many things, the Federal Strategic Action Plan on Immigrant & Refugee Integration “outlines … goals and recommended actions to … strengthen existing pathways to naturalization and promote civic engagement.”
In other words, become a citizen and start voting.
Specifically, some of the initiatives include:
- Citizenship Public Awareness Campaign
- Citizenship and Integration Grants Program
- Presidential Ambassadors to Promote Citizenship and Naturalization
- Identify Opportunities to Inform Individuals Eligible for Naturalization
- Expand Citizenship Outreach Partnerships
No really, citizenship is available, awesome and just waiting for you to hurry up and apply. And they’re going to make sure you know about it. No really—that you really really know about it.
It’s also worth noting that the plan makes sure to point out that you’re quite likely to be discriminated against. As such, the Task Force will “inject energetic AmeriCorps VISTA members into communities to help them increase capacity, expand multisector networks, and develop and implement local integration plans.”
(It begs the question: why did you join the ranks of millions of immigrants before you, only to come to this intolerant, bigoted country in the first place? But I’ve digressed. )
On the surface, it all sounds like a positive step for the immigrant community.
But I want you to stop and think about something for a moment.
President Obama (with his supporters cheering on) happily allowed the illegal among you to break the law to get here and stay here. To do so, the president had to break a promise he made on Day 1: to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
That’s right. For some of you, your presence in the United States is based on a promise broken.
Now consider the fact that the president says his actions stem from a true appreciation for immigrants and their contributions to our country; that he really cares about you and values you.
Take a moment if you would, and read my piece from last week.
A member of United We Dream hold banners in front of the office of US Republican Representative from California Darrell Issa on Capitol Hill during a protest with immigrant youth to 'take over GOP offices' and 'call out Republicans on anti-immigrant remarks' in Washington on June 27, 2014. The Democratic-led Senate has voted for immigration reform but the Republican dominated House of Representatives has yet to act, with Republican leaders loath to expose their rank-and-file to the fury of conservative primary voters. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM
What if—just what if—this isn’t about anything other than filling the Democrat voter rolls both now (with eligible green card holders) and in the future (with those of you here on the wings of the president’s executive action)?
What if—just what if—you’re nothing more than a means to an end for the Democratic Party?
After all, consider the African-American community. Under the first black president of the United States, African-American unemployment is up. In fact, it’s nearly double the national average. Communities with a high concentration of African Americans are overwhelming run by Democrats, in states run by Democrats—and they are failing the African-American community miserably.
Baltimore is a perfect example. As National Review’s Kevin D. Williamson put it, “No Republican, and certainly no conservative, has left so much as a thumbprint on the public institutions of Baltimore in a generation.”
But don’t worry—President Obama, his party, and his policies really, truly care about that demographic—and Republicans are to blame for their woes.
At least, that’s what they say.
And as a result, the Democratic Party holds approximately 95 percent of the African-American vote, and President Obama enjoys a wildly high approval rating.
Now consider the Latino community, from which many of you hail. Are you not told time and again that anything right of center wants the worst for you, and that the Democrat Party holds the key to your futures?
Of Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio: “…he's actually turned his back on the Latino community," said Latino activist Cristina Jimenez.
Of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz: “While Cruz ‘has a Latino name and immigration in his past, that's where the similarities between him and the Latino community end,’” said Dream Action Coalition spokespeople.
Of Republicans in general: “But let’s be honest: Most Republicans in Congress don’t really want to do anything on immigration beyond building more fences,” writes The Washington Post’s Paul Waldman.
Of course, we can’t forget the election season ads played in Spanish across the country—some of the more egregious (like one played in my home state) claimed Republicans would “deport” immigrants if elected.
Indeed, as I pointed out earlier, per the president’s Task Force discrimination and difficulty surely await you; but not to worry—the president’s Task Force is there to help.
Not suprisingly, the Democrat party currently enjoys a monopoly on the Latino vote as well.
To paraphrase a line from a favorite movie, "But what do they dooooo?"
Seriously though, answer me that.
Aside from breaking the law to help others break the law, what has President Obama and his party done for the immigrant community lately?
It certainly hasn’t been to leave a legacy of a lawful, stronger, brighter future.
And, isn’t that what you’ve all come here to find?
Mary Ramirez is a full-time writer, creator of www.afuturefree.com (a political commentary blog), and contributor to The Chris Salcedo Show (TheBlaze Radio Network, Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. ET). She can be reached at: afuturefree@aol.com; or on Twitter: @AFutureFree
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